auspicious
UK: ɔːˈspɪʃəs | US: ɔːˈspɪʃəs
adj. favorable, promising success or good fortune
adj. marked by lucky signs or positive omens
auspicious = auspic<bird divination> + ious<adjective suffix>
- auspic < Latin auspex (from avis "bird" + specere "to look"), referring to ancient Roman priests who observed bird flights for omens.
- ious < Latin -iosus, forming adjectives meaning "full of" or "having the quality of."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Roman religious practices, where auspices (signs from birds) determined the favorability of future events. Over time, "auspicious" evolved from literal divination to a broader sense of "favorable" or "promising," retaining its connection to luck and positive beginnings.
The clear sky was an auspicious sign for the outdoor wedding.
They considered the new year's first customer an auspicious start.
His promotion came at an auspicious moment, just before the company's expansion.
The ancient king sought auspicious omens before declaring war.
A rainbow appeared, which she took as an auspicious symbol of hope.